Oil Change 3k, 5k, or 7.5k?

07MZ5SA, be advised that the PureOne oil filter crushes and twists noticeably in this application. So does the Wix, though perhaps slightly less. The OEM filter is the way to go and is definitely NOT the limiting factor for OCI.

Separately, I've just changed after a 9,000+ mile OCI with Red Line. I took a sample and will have the analysis back in probably a couple weeks.
 
Last edited:
bulwnkl said:
07MZ5SA, be advised that the PureOne oil filter crushes and twists noticeably in this application. So does the Wix, though perhaps slightly less. The OEM filter is the way to go and is definitely NOT the limiting factor for OCI.

Which part of filter element is easily crushable?

Are you referring to pleated area gets deformed when filter cap is installed and compressing the circular ends?
 
07MZ5SA said:
Which part of filter element is easily crushable?

Are you referring to pleated area gets deformed when filter cap is installed and compressing the circular ends?

You can see pictures of my last NAPA Gold (Wix) at this URL:
on BITOG.

I use the same username there and my Wix is on page 2. The Purolator pictured on page 1 of that thread is NOT mine. Mine did not look that bad, but was part way between the appearance of that PureOne and my Wix in that thread. HOWEVER, my PureOne's pleats were not damaged at all, whereas my Wix's pleats appeared as though they may have been compromised.

I received my analysis report back from my ~9,200-mile drain interval, and it looked very good. I was running Red Line and the oil itself was in fine shape and ready for thousands more miles. The issue, though, was fuel dilution. I had 1.5% fuel in the oil and that had been causing more wear than I'd have had without it. No biggie, but still more than perfect. Did you all know that Mazda's ECU programming dumps lots of fuel in on purpose to light the catalyst up quicker? It's an emissions-control thing, but it dumps so much that a little bit of it blows past the rings and into the oil. I'll be trying another strategy to reduce the issue this time. Fortunately, the Red Line oil protected like a champ despite the fuel and all is well.
 
How often do you change oil when you don't have to drive a lot?
Currently I drive around 400 mi per month. If I go just by mileage I'll have to change oil once per year :-)
I know about Mazda schedule every 4 month
 
07MZ5SA said:
@ 3.75K w/ OEM filter and Exxon 5W-20.

@ 7.5K will go either OEM or PureOne and Mobil 1 0W-20 or 5W-20.

I get the benefit of synthetic protection and maximum (factory allowable) OCI.

Besides, removing lower engine shield is a pain.

I don't remove the shield anymore. I cut an access hole in it.

The next time I do a change, I'll post a pic.

Matt
 
Can someone please verify what it says in the 2006 manual about oil change intervals for Canada? The dealership told me that older model Mazda5s have to come in for oil changes at 4000KM but the newer 2007 models can come in at every 8000KM... I have the 2007 manual...

THANKS!
 
da1nonly said:
Can someone please verify what it says in the 2006 manual about oil change intervals for Canada? The dealership told me that older model Mazda5s have to come in for oil changes at 4000KM but the newer 2007 models can come in at every 8000KM... I have the 2007 manual...

THANKS!

There is no significant differences between an 06 & an 07 - the scheduled maintenance is the same. For Canada, follow schedule 2 - oil change every 4 months or 8000 km. Here is page out of the 06 manual:
View attachment 2006Mazda5_OwnersManual_EN.pdf
 
Thanks!!! that's what I thought. I called the service departments of several dealerships (in the GTA) to get a guage/recommendation on when would be the best time to come in for the first oil change... My dealership was pushing for me to come in early...

I received several different responses...

"do not come early... wait until 4months or 8K (km) because the oil from the factory/dealership has special addititves that need to break the engine in"

"i know the manual says to come in at 8K but come in at 4k becuz its the first change and would be a good time to get a checkup on your vehicle"

"the manual says 4M or 8K but we suggest earlier (5K) becuz some oil may have trace amounts of metal shavings..."

"4M or 8K, whichever comes first... that's what it says in your manual... earlier is ok too but there's no problem if you go by your manual"

"what model is yours? 2007? 8K is fine... we only told people to come in every 4K if they had the older mazda5s"

I guess you can't go wrong if it says so in the manual... but it's funny how they don't have one consistent answer... those that said to come in earlier changed their tune once i mentioned what it said on the manual...
 
I read recently that newer car engines, running smoother, more efficient and better oils lead to longer oil change times. Meaning every 3k is outdated. I go 7,500 to 8k.
 
This is rather interesting.

In northern Europe the OCI is 20000 km (~12,4K miles). This is normal for any new gasoline powered car, and then there's the longlife oils with up to 50000 km OCI (not on Mazdas though). Now, i'm not that much in love with my ride that I'd want to do an oil change every 3-4 months or pay someone to do it..
 
I got a 3/36 mile oil change card when I bought ours. Its good for every 3K mile oil change and 6K mile tire rotation...so that's how often I am getting it.

Easy for the wife drop, sit in the lobby for 1/2 hour, go and I am all about easy for the wife.
 
timur said:
I use full-synth Mobil 1 and I change the oil every 6 months. We do about 10K miles/year.

There's speculation as to whether Mobil1 is still a full synthetic. They've done some recent reformulation, and they have a patent application for a type of a blend of Group III and Group IV base stocks. Not saying it's not good oil, just saying it may no longer be "true" synthetic.

Google it for more details and discussion.
 
dommo_g said:
There's speculation as to whether Mobil1 is still a full synthetic. They've done some recent reformulation, and they have a patent application for a type of a blend of Group III and Group IV base stocks. Not saying it's not good oil, just saying it may no longer be "true" synthetic.

Google it for more details and discussion.

I didn't think that was speculation anymore and just fact. I use it knowing its not a "full" in my cars. I was using Royal Purple, a true full syn., until they jumped a full dollar per quart. That and the fact that you can get jugs of mobil1 at walmart helped change the brand I use (lol2)
 
Back